During the war it was, anything within reach of the North/South Vietnamese Coastlines were subject to search/seizure/attack/destruction by the US Navy/allies or the enemy (North Vietnamese Navy).
It was international waters, until you reached the coastline, then it was a combat zone.
The Vietnam War is the event that occurred in the Tonkin Gulf.
Naval units of the US and North Vietnamese Navy fought a sea battle in Gulf of Tonkin.
Tonkin Gulf Incident
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution .
Gulf of Tonkin or Tonkin Gulf; scene of naval engagement between North Viet Navy & US Navy on 02 August 1964.
The Vietnam War is the event that occurred in the Tonkin Gulf.
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Vietnam War.
Confrontations between the US Navy & North Viet Navy in the Tonkin Gulf in 1964.
Naval units of the US and North Vietnamese Navy fought a sea battle in Gulf of Tonkin.
Tonkin Gulf Incident
The August, 1964 Gulf of Tonkin resolution.
Tonkin Gulf ships were attacked ( this was LBJ who made it up).
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), which allows the President to use the military in a war-like action, without calling it a war.
The Gulf of Tonkin
Approved war between North Vietnam & the US.